Label pressing apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for removing a plurality of printed labels configured as paper sheet portions from a plurality of stacked pressing sheets, the labels being partially precut and arranged in a predetermined pattern in the pressing sheets, including a die plate having a plurality of openings formed therein in a predetermined pattern corresponding to the pattern of the labels in the pressing sheets. The labels are pressed from the pressing sheets through the openings by a plurality of press members which are arranged in a predetermined pattern corresponding to the patterns of both the labels and the die openings, and project from a vertically movable press plate. As the labels are pressed from the master sheets, the die plate openings help to maintain the labels in aligned stacks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the separation of a plurality oflabels, or other indicia bearing sheet portions, from a master pressingsheet and more particularly to an apparatus for separating labels, cardsor the like from a plurality of pressing sheets arranged in stackedalignment.

Certain packaged products, such as cassette tapes or computer diskettes,are packaged with indicia bearing label stock to convey informationabout the cassette or computer diskette. In the case of cassettes,labels are generally rectangular card stock having information about thecassette printed thereon wherein the card stock will fit within aplastic compact cassette case which is typically clear as is well known.In addition, computer diskettes are typically packaged with a fibersheeting sleeve, typically formed of TYVEK® fiber sheeting material,which is a product of E.I. DuPont deNemours & Co. of Wilmington, Del.The sleeves are sheet portions that are folded and glued flat to providethe container for the computer diskette. As is the case with cassettetapes, indicia concerning the computer diskette is printed on thesleeve. These labels, or indicia bearing sheet portions, are typicallyprinted in an array on one large master sheet. A typical master sheet,known as a "pressing sheet," will have an array of identical labelsarranged in rows and columns. Generally, a stack of pressing sheetseight inches thick will contain about one thousand pressing sheets.

Generally, once the labels are printed on the master pressing sheets, apartial cut will be made around the perimeters of the labels leaving asmall portion of the label attached to the pressing sheet such that whenthe separation of the labels is necessary, they can be punched from thesheet leaving a smooth edge except for a slight rough portion where theattachment to the master pressing sheet occurred. The portion of themaster sheet remaining after the sheet portions are separated or removedis known as a "skeleton."

Prior to shipping the labels to the cassette or computer diskettemanufacturers, the printer will remove the labels from the masterpressing sheets and box the resultant stacks of labels for shipment.Accordingly, the task of removing the labels from the pressing sheettypically falls to the printer. Conventionally, the labels are removedindividually by hand, each label being pressed from the master sheet bya print shop worker who stacks the individual labels in a box. As thequantity of labels increases, the removal and stacking of the printedlabels becomes an increasingly tedious task and slows down themanufacturing process. Further, such repetitious hand movements as arerequired to remove the labels from the pressing sheets may lead to whatis known as carpal tunnel syndrome which can result in workers losingthe use of their hands.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved method of removing printedcassette type labels, computer diskette sleeves and other indiciabearing sheet portions from their master pressing sheets in order toremove unnecessary delays from the manufacturing process as well asremoving a source of the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome from theworkers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for removing a plurality of printed labelsconfigured as paper sheet portions from a plurality of stacked masterpressing sheets that solves the aforementioned problems.

According to the present invention, an apparatus for removing aplurality of paper sheet portions from a plurality of pressing sheets,the sheet portions being arranged in a predetermined pattern in thepressing sheets, includes an arrangement for pressing the sheet portionsfrom the pressing sheets, an arrangement for receiving and aligning theplurality of sheet portions pressed from the pressing sheets, thepressed sheet portions being directed into a receiving area, and anassembly for removing the aligned plurality of sheet portions from thereceiving area. Preferably, the arrangement for pressing the sheetportions from the pressing sheets includes a press plate slidablymounted in a frame and having a plurality of press members for pressingthe sheet portions and removing them from the pressing sheets.

The press members project from the press plate and are arranged in apredetermined pattern corresponding generally to the predeterminedpattern of the sheet portions in the pressing sheets. Further, thearrangement for receiving and aligning the sheet portions pressed fromthe pressing sheets includes a die plate mounted to the frame in aspaced relation with the press plate, the die plate having a supportsurface formed with a plurality of openings therein. The openings areshaped to generally conform to the sheet portions in the pressingsheets, whereby the pressing sheets can be stacked on the supportsurface intermediate the die plate and the press plate with the sheetportions of each pressing sheet aligned with one another and with theopenings, the openings being of a depth at least equal to the height ofthe stacked pressing sheets.

It is further preferred that the pressing arrangement include anarrangement for moving the press plate along a path of movement betweena first position at which the press members are spaced away from the dieplate support surface and a second position at which the press membersare adjacent the openings formed in the die plate support surface sothat when the pressing sheets are positioned on the die plate supportsurface the moving press members engage the sheet portions for pressingthe sheet portions to remove them from the pressing sheets. The sheetportions may be partially precut in the pressing sheets and the pressmembers include a pressing surface for engagement with the sheetportions, the pressing surface generally conforming to the shape of thesheet portions. It is preferred that the removing assembly include areceiving area and conveyor positioned for removing the stacked sheetportions from the receiving area.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the arrangementfor moving the press plate includes a piston and cylinder assemblymounted to the frame and to the press plate in an orientation for movingthe press plate between its first position and its second position forremoving the sheet portions from the pressing sheets. It is preferredthat the arrangement for moving the press plate includes a controlassembly initiating and terminating the movement.

It is also preferred that the apparatus of the present inventionincludes a receiving assembly having a receiving plate mounted on theframe spaced from the die plate and positioned for receiving the stacksof aligned sheet portions removed from the pressing sheets by the pressmembers after the sheet portions pass through the openings in the dieplate support surface. The receiving plate may be movably mounted to theframe and include an arrangement for moving the receiving plate along apredetermined path between a first position adjacent the die plate forreceiving the sheet portions as they are removed from the openings inthe die plate support surface and a second position in which thereceiving plate is spaced away from the die plate for removal of thesheet portions from the receiving plate, the moving arrangementtherefore being mounted to the frame intermediate the receiving plateand the frame.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, theassembly for moving the receiving plate includes a piston and cylinderassembly mounted to the receiving plate and the frame thereby allowingthe receiving plate to move along its predetermined path, the movementbeing initiated by a control arrangement in response to the movement ofthe press plate. The control arrangement may include a hydraulicsequencing valve for initiating the movement responsive to press platemovement.

According to the method of the present invention a plurality of sheetportions are removed from a plurality of pressing sheets, the sheetportions being arranged in a predetermined pattern in the pressingsheets utilizing the following steps. The plurality of pressing sheetsis stacked on a support surface having openings formed therein, theopenings generally conforming to the shape of the sheet portions, andthe stack of pressing sheets being oriented in a manner wherein thesheet portions in each pressing sheet are positioned in alignment withone another and with the openings. The precut sheet portions are thenpressed to remove the sheet portions from the pressing sheets and arethen directed into the openings to form a plurality of aligned stackswhich pass through the openings to a receiving surface. Additionally,the stacks of sheet portions are received and supported in an alignedcondition on the receiving surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the label removal apparatus of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the label removal apparatusillustrated in FIG. 1 with the press plate in a position for pressing aplurality of labels from a plurality of pressing sheets;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the label removal apparatusillustrated in FIG. 1 showing the position of the press plate after thelabels have been removed from the pressing sheets;

FIG. 4 is a detail perspective view of the label removal apparatus ofthe present invention illustrating the removal of the press and dieassembly;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the support surface of the label removalapparatus of the present invention illustrating the relationship amongthe labels in a stack of pressing sheets, the die openings and the pressmembers;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the press and die assembly ofthe label removal apparatus of the present invention illustrating theremoval of aligned stacks of labels from a stack of pressing sheets;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of the hydraulic control system ofthe label removal apparatus of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the present invention illustrating analternate method of removing the die plate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, an apparatusfor pressing a plurality of sheet portions from a stacked plurality ofpressing sheets is shown generally at 10 and includes a rectangular,upstanding frame 12, a press and die assembly 30, a press drive assembly50, a label receiving assembly 70 and a conveyor assembly 90.

The frame 12 is formed as a floor standing, open rectangular structureincluding four vertically oriented, upstanding frame members 14 unitedto form a generally rectangular configuration by four upper cross braces20 and four lower cross braces 16 which form the perimeter of the frame12. Intermediate the upper cross braces 20 and the lower cross braces16, two midline cross braces 18 are mounted to opposite sides of theframe 12 and extend generally horizontally outwardly therefrom along oneside thereof. A generally C-shaped auxiliary frame 24 is mounted to theupstanding frame members 14 between the two extended portions of themidline cross braces 18 defining a label removal area and providing amounting assembly for primary portions of the conveyor assembly 90. Anupstanding truss 22 is mounted to two of the upper cross braces 20 toprovide a mounting location for two press drive hydraulic motors 52which will be described in detail hereinafter.

With reference to FIG. 2, the press and die assembly 30 is instrumentalin the pressing removal of the labels from the pressing sheets S and isconfined within the frame 12 to an area intermediate the midline crossbraces 18 and the upper cross braces 20, and includes a generallyplanar, horizontally oriented die plate 40 (see FIG. 1) and a generallyplanar, horizontally oriented press plate 32 mounted above the die plate40. Four die plate support members 42 are permanently mounted to theframe 12 intermediate the upper cross braces 20 and the midline crossbraces 18, closely adjacent the midline cross braces 18. The die platesupport members 42 are generally rectangular beam members having a lipprojecting inwardly from the lower surface thereof, and are arrangedaround all four sides of the frame 12 to form a supporting well in whichthe die plate 40 rests.

The die plate 40 includes a support surface 28 (see FIG. 1) whichsupports the pressing sheets for pressing removal of the labelstherefrom and contains the aligned stacks of labels L that have beenremoved from the pressing sheets S as seen in FIG. 2 wherein a die platesupport member 42 is illustrated partially in section. The die platesupport surface 28 includes a plurality of die openings 41 formedtherein. At each corner of the die plate support surface 28, threadedopenings (not shown) are provided for attachment of a plurality ofalignment rods 36. The alignment rods 36 have threaded end portionswhich are received in the threaded openings (not shown) in the die plate40. The alignment rods 36 project upwardly through corresponding holes37 formed in the press plate 32 and assist in maintaining the alignmentof the press plate 32 with the die plate 40.

The plurality of die openings 41 in the die plate 40 receive the labelsL as they are removed from the pressing sheets S and form them intoaligned stacks within the confines of the die openings 41 in a manner tobe described in more detail below.

The die plate 40 is preferably formed of a single piece of metal, withthe die openings 41 being cut thereinto using a laser, and is ofsufficient thickness that when the labels L are pressed from thepressing sheets S, the die openings 41 maintain the labels L in astacked aligned relation as they are positioned on the receivingplatform. Corresponding in size and arrangement to the labels in thepressing sheets, the die openings 41 are arranged generally in thecenter of the die plate support surface 28.

A safety screen 26 is mounted to two of the upstanding frame members 14on one side of the frame 12 to block access to the area intermediate thepress plate 32 and the die plate 40 from the side of the frame 12 whichis not used for loading pressing sheets S. An additional safety screen,not shown in the drawings for clarity, may be pivotably attached to theframe 12 to cover the loading access area.

Referring again to FIG. 2, two L-shaped stack alignment members 44, 45are arranged perpendicularly to one another along two sides of theperimeter of the arrangement of die openings 41 to align the stacks ofpressing surfaces by providing abutment surfaces at the edges of thestacked pressing sheets stacked on the die plate support surface 28 forpressing removal of the labels L therefrom. Threaded openings (notshown) are provided for bolting the alignment members 44, 45 to the dieplate 40.

With reference to FIG. 3, two generally rectangular stop members 46 arebolted to the die plate support surface 28 intermediate the die openings41 and the edge of the die plate 40 using threaded openings formed inthe die plate 40. The generally upright rectangular stop members 46 areprovided as a safety feature to prevent the press plate 32 from crushinganything caught between the press plate 32 and the die plate 40 shouldthe press plate 32 break free from its mounts and drop onto the dieplate 40.

The press plate 32 is used to press the labels from the pressing sheetsand through the die openings 41 to provide aligned stacks of labels, andit is a planar, generally horizontally oriented plate, having aplurality of press members 34 projecting downwardly from the lowersurface thereof in the general direction of the die plate 40. The pressmembers 34 are generally rectangular, elongate members formed with apressing surface 35 having a shape corresponding to the shape of thelabels for which they are intended to press, and arranged in apredetermined pattern to conform to the predetermined pattern of the dieopenings 41. As is evident, the predetermined pattern of the pressmembers 34 and the die openings 41 conform to the predetermined patternof the labels L in the pressing sheets S. As will be explainedhereinafter, the configuration of the apparatus 10 may be altered byinterchanging different press and die assemblies 30 to accommodatevarious label configurations.

As previously mentioned and as best seen in FIG. 4, openings 37 areformed at all four corners of the press plate 32 to accommodate thealignment rods 36. Referring now to FIG. 2, adjustment rollers 38 aremounted to the upper surface of the press plate 32 adjacent the openings37 provided for the alignment rods 36. The adjustment rollers 38 arepairs of spool-like rollers which are slidably mounted oppositely toeach other closely adjacent the openings 37 in the press plate 32 to bein rolling contact with the alignment rods 36. Mounting platforms 39 areprovided for slidably mounting the adjustment rollers 38 to the uppersurface of the press plate 32. The adjustment rollers 38 provide anadjustment for aligning the press members 34 with the die openings 41.

As was also previously mentioned, the alignment rods 36 are threadablyattached to the die plate 40 at all four corners thereof and extendvertically therefrom, passing through corresponding openings 37 in thepress plate 32. A generally rectangular, upstanding, elongate piston rodmounting bar 48 is mounted to the upper surface of the press plate 32.

The press plate drive assembly 50 provides the driving force to pressthe labels L from the pressing sheets S and includes two hydraulicallyoperated motors 52 which are suspended vertically from the support truss22 located at the top portion of the frame 12 with their associatedpiston rods 51 mounted to the piston rod mounting bar 48 by C-shapedattachment members 53 which are configured to fit over the rectangularpiston rod mounting bar 48. As best seen in FIG. 4, holes 55, 57 areformed in both the C-shaped attachment members 53 and the piston rodmounting bar 48 such that when the C-shaped attachment members 53 arefitted over the mounting bar 48, the holes are in alignment and aconventional rod and pin assembly 58 (see FIG. 1) is used to secure theC-shaped attachment members 53 to the mounting bar 48.

With reference to FIG. 2, the hydraulic motors 52 are operated bypressurized hydraulic fluid provided through hydraulic lines 54 from acentral hydraulic pump 118. The hydraulic motors 52 each include twohydraulic fluid inlets 47, 47', an upper inlet 47 providing fluid forlowering the press plate 32 and a lower inlet 47' providing fluid forraising the press plate 32. Flow regulators 49 are provided at eachupper hydraulic inlet 47 for individually regulating the flow ofhydraulic fluid to each hydraulic motor 52. Adjustment of the flowregulators 49 allows the operator to compensate for individualdifferences which may be present in the hydraulic motors 52 which aidsin maintaining even, level pressing movement of the press plate 32. Aswill be explained in greater detail hereinafter and with reference toFIG. 7, the hydraulic pump 118 controls all pressing operations througha hydraulic sequencing system 110.

With reference to FIG. 3, the label receiving assembly 70 receivesaligned stacks of labels L which pass through the die openings 41 andpositions the removed labels for subsequent removal from the apparatus10. The label receiving assembly 70 includes a label receiving platform72 movably mounted to the frame 12 adjacent the midline cross braces 18and below the die plate 40 in a spaced vertical relation therewith. Thereceiving platform 72 is movably supported by a single hydraulic motor74 mounted to the frame 12 using a lower central cross member 78 whichtraverses the lowermost portion of the frame 12 near the center thereofand is mounted to and between two oppositely facing lower cross braces16. Four stabilizing springs 76 are mounted at all four corners of thelower surface of the receiving platform 72 and to mounting platforms 77(see FIG. 1) which are mounted to the frame 12 below the receivingplatform 72 and at the junction of the lower cross braces 16 with theupstanding frame members 14, as best seen in FIG. 2. When the receivingplatform 72 is raised, the stabilizing springs 76 resist the upwardmovement and are extended. The downwardly directed force of thestabilizing springs 76 at the corners of the platform 72 tends to reducerotational movement of the platform 72 and keeps the platform 72generally firmly in a stable orientation during movement thereof.

Movement of the receiving platform 72 is controlled by theaforementioned hydraulic pump 118 and the hydraulic sequencing system110 (see FIG. 7) which will be explained in greater detail hereinafter.Hydraulic lines 80 are provided for fluid transmission between the pump118 and the hydraulic motor 74.

Referring to FIG. 1, the conveyor assembly 90 is used to move stacks oflabels L removed from the pressing sheets S from the receiving platform72 out onto the auxiliary frame 24 so that the operator can transportthe labels L from the apparatus 10. The conveyor assembly 90 includes aconventional conveyor belt 92 following an endless path over thereceiving platform 72 out onto the auxiliary frame 24, down under thereceiving platform hydraulic motor 74 and back on to the receivingplatform 72 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

With reference to FIG. 2, the conveyor belt 92 is driven by aconventional electric motor 106 mounted to the lowermost portion of theframe 12 which drives the conveyor belt 92 using a conventional drivechain 104. A guide roller 102 is mounted to the lower central crossmember 78 to facilitate conveyor belt 92 motion. Rollers 94 are mountedat each end of the midline cross braces 18 to provide support for theconveyor belt 92 while allowing operational movement thereof.

Since the conveyor belt 92 is located intermediate the receivingplatform 72 and the die plate 40, it must rise and return in a movementcoordinated with the movement of the receiving platform 72. Accordingly,the belt 92 must contain sufficient excess material to accommodate thevertical travel distance of the receiving platform 72. However, sincethe belt 92 must be movable when the receiving platform is in itslowermost position, sufficient tension must be maintained on the belt 92to account for the extra material. A tension roller 96 is provided forthis purpose and it includes an elongate tension roller support member100 pivotably mounted to frame members 14 below the auxiliary frame 24.

The tension roller 96 is mounted to the free end of the roller supportmember 100 and is maintained in contact with the belt 92 by springs 98mounted to both the tension roller support member 100 and the upstandingframe members 14, the frame mounting position being disposed a distanceup the frame 12 from the pivot 101 of the tension roller support member100. The springs 98 maintain continuous contact between the tensionroller 96 and the conveyor belt 92 during operation of the tensionroller mechanism which will be explained in greater detail hereinafter.

As previously mentioned, the press plate 32 is provided with analignment adjustment. Adjustment of the press plate alignment isaccomplished by lowering the press plate 32 so that the press members 34begin to enter the die openings 41. With the bolts 31 mounting theadjustment roller platform 39 to the press plate 32 loosened, the pressplate 32 is manually aligned so that the press members 34 are properlyaligned with the die openings 41. The adjustment rollers 38 are thenslid into contact with the alignment rods 36, and the platform bolts 31are retightened. This adjustment prevents binding of the labels L duringthe pressing operation which could result if the labels were pressedangularly into the die openings 41 as would likely occur should thepress plate become misaligned. Additional press plate 32 adjustment isaccomplished by regulating the flow to each of the hydraulic motors 52until the press plate 32 is driven downwardly in a horizontalorientation, with each hydraulic motor 52 providing an equalcontribution to the driving motion.

Operation of the apparatus 10 is controlled from the operatorcontrolling station 82 (see FIG. 2). The movement of the press plate 32and the receiving platform 72 are automatically controlled by thehydraulic sequencing system 110 (see FIG. 7) while the conveyor belt 92is independently controlled using a conventional motor controller 60.

Referring to FIG. 7, the hydraulic sequencing system 110 providescontrol of the movement of the press plate 32 and the receiving platform72 (see FIG. 3) and includes the hydraulic pump 118, a master controlvalve 112 and a sequencing valve 114, all connected to the hydraulicmotors 52, 74 by conventional hydraulic lines 54, 80, 122. A safetyswitch 86 (see FIG. 2) is provided at the operator control station 82for prevention of accidental initiation of press plate 32 or receivingplatform 72 movement. The safety switch 86 must be actively disengagedduring all press plate 32 and receiving platform 72 movement, thusrequiring two hands to operate the apparatus 10. As will be explained ingreater detail presently, by using the master control valve 112, theoperator of the apparatus 10 controls the sequence of press plate 32 andreceiving platform 72 movements necessary for label removal.

The sequencing valve 114 is a normally closed gate valve which ispressure operated. Pressure within the hydraulic line 80 which feeds thelower hydraulic motor 74 is sensed through a pressure response line 115causing the sequencing valve 114 to open at a predetermined pressure.The predetermined response pressure may be manually adjusted using anadjustment assembly 116 provided at the valve 114. Additionally, returnline 120 provides overpressure relief when the hydraulic pressure is ata maximum in all three hydraulic motors 52, 74, the occurrence of whichwill be explained presently.

Operation of the apparatus is generally as follows. With reference toFIG. 5, a plurality of pressing sheets S having an array of labels Lprinted thereon is provided with the labels L partially precut in thepressing sheets S leaving a series of small attachment points 64 whichretain the labels L in the pressing sheets S until they are forciblyremoved, either by the known method of removing the labels L by hand orby use of the apparatus 10 of the present invention. Initially, aplurality of pressing sheets S is stacked on the die plate supportsurface 28 in abutting relation with the alignment members 44, 45 suchthat the label portions of the pressing sheets S are aligned with theopenings 41 in the die plate 40. A generally flat receiving and removalboard (not shown), which may be a simple sheet of plywood is placed onthe receiving platform 72 directly beneath the die openings 41.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 7, once the pressing sheets S are inplace, the operator releases and holds open the safety switch 86 whichallows operation of the master control valve 112 which, in turn,operates the hydraulic sequencing system 110. The master control valve112 has three possible positions. Position B is the normal "off"position when the apparatus 10 is inactive. Positions "A" and "C" areoperational positions which will be explained presently.

In order to initiate operation, the master control handle 84 is operatedto initially align the valve to position A which routes hydraulic fluidthrough the hydraulic lines 80 to the hydraulic motor 74 controlling themovement of the receiving platform 72. The receiving platform 72 iscaused to be raised by the hydraulic motor 74 to a position directlybeneath and closely adjacent the die plate 40 for receiving the labelsto be pressed from the pressing sheets S. While the receiving platform72 is being driven upwardly by its hydraulic motor 74, the pressureactivated sequencing valve 114 remains closed, blocking hydraulic fluidflow to the hydraulic motors 52 which control the movement of the pressplate 32.

When the receiving platform 72 reaches its uppermost position, thesequencing valve 114 senses the increased pressure in the hydraulic line80 resulting from the impeded movement of the receiving platform 72.Responsive to this increased pressure, the sequencing valve 114 opens,allowing hydraulic fluid to flow to the hydraulic motors 52 which drivethe press plate 32. When hydraulic fluid is applied, the press plate 32is driven downwardly by the hydraulic motors 52 toward the die plate 40,and is maintained in alignment by the adjustment rollers 38 in contactwith the alignment rods 36. The pressing surfaces 35 of the pressmembers 34 make contact with the labels within the top pressing sheet Sand the driving motion continues until all labels L are pressed freefrom the pressing sheets S as seen in FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIG. 6, when the labels L are pressed from the pressingsheets S they are directed into the die openings 41 which maintain thelabels L in an aligned stacked relation as they are deposited onto thereceiving platform 72. After the initial contact of the label stack withthe receiving platform 72, the press plate 32 is still being drivendownwardly, pressing more labels L from the lower pressing sheets. Toprevent crushing the labels, the receiving platform 72 is caused tobegin its descent prior to the reversal of press plate 32 movement. Asthe labels L are pressed downwardly, they exert an increasing pressureon the receiving platform 72 which in turn exerts a downward force onthe hydraulic motor 74. As a result, an increased pressure is realizedthrough hydraulic line 80 and is transmitted to the sequencing valve 114by the pressure response line 115 (see FIG. 7). Accordingly, this excesspressure is relieved by allowing a portion of the hydraulic fluidapplied to the hydraulic motor 74 to return to the pump through thereturn line 120. This allows the press plate 32 and the receivingplatform 72 to move downwardly in unison for a short distance asindicated in FIG. 6.

The simultaneous downward movement of the press plate 32 and thereceiving platform 72 enhances the ability of the apparatus 10 tomaintain aligned stacks of labels L. As the labels L are driven throughthe die openings 41, the press members 34 maintain pressure on the upperportion of the stacks of labels L while the receiving platform 72 exertspressure on the underside of the stacks of labels L. Since the walls ofthe die openings 41 and the pressing sheets S themselves confine thestacks of labels L on their sides, the majority of labels L within astack are completely confined at all times as the labels are beingpressed from the pressing sheets S. Accordingly, the labels L emergefrom the die openings 41 in tight, aligned stacks.

Referring now to FIG. 3, once the labels L are pressed from all thepressing sheets S, the press plate 32 is caused to reverse direction ofmovement and the hydraulic motors 52 cause the press plate 32 to rise toits initial position. When the press plate 32 reaches its lowermostposition and all the labels L have been pressed from the pressing sheetsS, the operator must shift the position of the master control valve 112,as seen in FIG. 7, from the "A" position to the "C" position using themaster control handle 84. This causes hydraulic fluid to be routedthrough hydraulic lines 122 to reverse direction of all hydraulic motors52, 74. As a result the press plate 32 is returned to its initial,lowered position and the receiving platform 72 is lowered to itsinitial, raised position.

With reference to FIG. 2, when the receiving platform 72 is at itsmaximum height adjacent the die plate 40, the conveyor belt 92 is fullyextended. The increased tension on the conveyor belt 92 causes thetension roller 96 to be forced outwardly against the springs 98. Theresultant spring force as continually applied through the tension roller96 causes the conveyor belt 92 to maintain tension throughout the riseand subsequent fall of the receiving platform 72.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the descent of the receiving platform 72 causesthe conveyor belt 92 to also descend. In order to maintain tension onthe conveyor belt 92, the tension roller 96 is maintained in contactwith the conveyor belt 92 by action of the tensioning spring 98 on thetension roller support member 100 such that when the conveyor belt 92becomes loosened, the tensioning spring 98 contracts, maintainingcontact at the tension roller 96 with the conveyor belt 92, therebymaintaining tension on the conveyor belt 92.

When the receiving platform 72 is returned to its lowermost position,the conveyor belt 92 is extended horizontally thereacross. Accordingly,the operator is then free to activate the conveyor belt 92 using themotor controller 60, which moves the labels L out onto the auxiliaryframe 24 as depicted by the horizontal arrow in FIG. 3. When the labelsare moved onto the auxiliary frame 24 they can be removed as a groupfrom the apparatus 10 using the receiving and removal board (not shown)and taken to another area for packaging. The pressing sheets which havethe label portions removed are known as "skeletons" and are manuallyremoved from the apparatus 10 and recycled. The apparatus 10 is thenready to accept another stack of pressing sheets S for label removal.

When the apparatus 10 of the present invention is used to press computerdisk sleeves formed of TYVEK® fiber sheeting material, a rigid member(not shown) formed in the shape of the "skeletons" is placed on top ofthe stack of pressing sheets S to hold the pressing sheets S in placeduring the pressing operation. Due to the slick surface and flexibilityof the TYVEK® fiber sheeting material, uneven pressing may resultwithout use of the rigid auxiliary "skeleton."

Since all labels are not the same size, different types of labels willrequire different sized die openings 41 and different sized pressmembers 34 or will require a different pattern of die openings 41 andpress members 34. In that regard and according to one feature of thepresent invention, the press plate 32 and the die plate 40 are easilyremoved from the apparatus 10. Once the press plate 32 and die plate 40are removed, a different press plate 32 and die plate 40 may be insertedhaving a different configuration of press members 34 and die openings41. Removal and replacement of the press plate 32 and the die plate 40may be accomplished as follows.

Generally, and with reference to FIG. 4, the removal and replacementprocess involves bolting the die plate 32 to the press plate 40 andremoving both as a unit using a forklift F. Specifically, the alignmentmembers 44, 45 and the stop members 46 (see FIG. 2) are removed from thedie plate 40 leaving a flat support surface 28. The press plate 32 iscaused to be lowered onto the die plate 40 with the press members 34 inmating relation with the die openings 41 and the press plate 32 restingon the die plate 40. Holes (not shown) are formed in the press plate 32to be in alignment with the holes provided for the stop members 46 inthe die plate 40. Conventional bolts 62 are utilized through theseopenings to secure the press plate 32 and the die plate 40 in matingrelation. The operator then operates the hydraulic motors 52 to causethe press plate 32 with the die plate 40 thereattached to ascend to aposition intermediate the uppermost position and the lowermost positionattainable by the press plate 32. A forklift F is positioned to supportthe press plate 32 with the die plate 40 attached thereto while thealignment rods 36 are unthreaded from the die plate 40 and removed. Therod and pin assembly 58 is then removed from the mounting bar 48 and theC-shaped members 53. Upon removal of the alignment rods 36 and the rodand pin assembly 58, the die plate 32 with the press plate 40 attachedthereto may be removed from the apparatus 10 using the aforementionedforklift F. Another press plate 32 and die plate 40 may be reattached byreversing the order of operations previously described.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the die plate 40 isattached to the apparatus 10 differently than previously described. Withreference to FIG. 8, an opening 132 larger than the perimeter dimensionof the predetermined label pattern is formed in the die plate supportsurface 28 with a lip 134 extending inwardly around the perimeter of theopening 132. A removable die plate 130 is formed to fit within theopening 132. Accordingly, to change the press and die assembly, theremovable die plate 130 is lifted out of its opening 132, preferably bytwo people, and another removable die plate 130 with the desired patternof die openings 41 is placed within the opening 132 with the removabledie plate 130 resting on the lip 134 provided in the opening 132. Theremovable die plate 130 is light enough that two people can maneuver itinto position in the apparatus 10. The press plate 32 is theninterchanged using the method previously described. This alternativefeature of the present invention provides a faster method for changingthe configuration of the label removal apparatus 10 to accommodatedifferent patterns of labels.

As can be seen from the foregoing, the present invention provides arapid, safe method of removal of a plurality of labels from a pluralityof stacked pressing sheets. Further, the present invention provides animproved method of removal of labels from a plurality of pressing sheetsas well as the ability to readily change configurations to adapt to anylabel pattern within a pressing sheet.

It will therefore be readily understood by those persons skilled in theart that the present invention is susceptible of a broad utility andapplication. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present inventionother than those herein described, as well as many variations,modifications and equivalent arrangements will be apparent from orreasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoingdescription thereof, without departing from the substance or scope ofthe present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention has beendescribed herein in detail in relation to its preferred embodiment, itis to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative andexemplary of the present invention and is made merely for purposes ofproviding a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoingdisclosure is not intended or to be construed to limit the presentinvention or otherwise to exclude any such other embodiment,adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, thepresent invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto andthe equivalents thereof.

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for removing a plurality of paper sheetportions from the plurality of pressing sheets, the sheet portions beingarranged in a predetermined pattern in the pressing sheets, saidapparatus comprising:(a) a frame; (b) means for pressing the sheetportions from the pressing sheets including a press slate slidablymounted to said frame and having a plurality of press members forpressing the sheet portions from the pressing sheets; (c) means forsimultaneously receiving and aligning the plurality of sheet portionspressed from the pressing sheets into a stack including a die platemounted to said frame in a spaced relation with said press plate, saiddie plate having a plurality of openings formed therein for passagetherethrough of the sheet portions and a receiving plate movably mountedto said frame spaced from said die plate and positioned for receivingstacks of aligned sheet portions removed from the pressing sheets bysaid press members after the sheet portions pass through said openingsin said die plate and means for moving said receiving plate along apredetermined path between a first position adjacent said die plate forreceiving the sheet portions and a second position in which saidreceiving plate is spaced away from said die plate for removal of thesheet portions, said receiving plate moving means including pressurizedpiston and cylinder means mounted to said frame intermediate saidreceiving plate and said frame thereby allowing said receiving plate tomove along its path; (d) means for removing said stack of alignedplurality of sheet portions from said receiving and aligning means; and(e) control means for directing the operation of said pressing means andsaid removing means in a predetermined sequence by releasing pressurefrom said piston and cylinder means responsive to movement of said pressplate, said control means including a sequencing valve.
 2. An apparatusfor removing a plurality of paper sheet portions from a plurality ofpressing sheets, the sheet portions being arranged in a predeterminedpattern in the pressing sheets, wherein said apparatus includes a frame,said removal apparatus comprising:(a) a press plate slidably mounted tosaid frame and having a plurality of press members for pressing thesheet portions and thereby removing the sheet portions from the pressingsheets, said press members projecting from said press plate and arrangedin a predetermined pattern corresponding generally to the predeterminedpattern of the sheet portions in the pressing sheets; (b) a die platemounted to said frame in a spaced relation with said press plate, saiddie plate having a support surface formed with a plurality of openingstherein, said openings being of a shape generally conforming to theshape of the sheet portions in the pressing sheets, whereby the pressingsheets can be stacked on said support surface intermediate said dieplate and said press plate with the sheet portions aligned with saidopenings, said openings being of a depth at least equal to the height ofsaid stacked pressing sheets; (c) means for moving said press platealong a path of movement between a first position at which said pressmembers are spaced away from said die plate support surface and a secondposition at which said press members are adjacent said openings formedin said die plate support surface so that when the pressing sheets arepositioned on the die plate support surface, the press members engagethe sheet portions for pressing the sheet portions to remove them fromthe pressing sheets and into said openings; and (d) receiving andcollecting means positions for receiving the sheet portions from saidopenings in said support surface as aligned stacks and for collectingsaid stacked sheet portions including a receiving plate mounted on saidframe beyond said die plate and positioned for receiving stacks ofaligned sheet portions removed from the pressing sheets and furtherincluding means for moving said receiving plate responsive to movementof said press plate along a predetermined path between a first positionadjacent said die plate for receiving the sheet portions as they areremoved from said openings in said die plate support surface and asecond position in which said receiving plate is spaced away from saiddie plate for removal of the sheet portions from said receiving plate,said receiving plate moving means including pressurized piston andcylinder means mounted to said frame intermediate said receiving plateand said frame thereby allowing said receiving plate to move along itspredetermined path; and (e) control means for initiating movement ofsaid receiving and collecting means responsive to movement of said pressplate, said control means including a sequencing valve.